Parsing the British Independent Film Awards Nominations

Parsing the British Independent Film Awards Nominations

But even if critics and AMPAS members move the film with the most (seven) BIFA nominations, “The Lobster,” up to the top of their screener piles, that won’t make the brainy and hilarious Cannes entry from Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos an Oscar frontrunner.

And so far Brit period history lesson “Suffragette” seems to play better in the UK than America. Landing six nominations apiece were Andrew Haigh’s “45 Years” and Justin Kurzel’s “Macbeth,” getting five were John Crowley’s “Brooklyn” (which did not land Best Feature or Director noms), Alex Garland’s “Ex Machina” and Asif Kapadia’s smash hit documentary “Amy,” while Sarah Gavron’s “Suffragette” and Ben Wheatley’s “High-Rise” scored four. (“High-Rise,” starring BIFA nominees Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller and Luke Evans, will not open stateside before 2016.)

Competing in the international film category were Lenny Abrahamson’s UK-financed “Room” and Todd Haynes’ “Carol.” Film4 landed a total of 41 nominations for the films it has backed.

Among the actors, “Ex Machina” star Alicia Vikander was nominated for Best Actress for Tom Hooper’s “The Danish Girl,” which U.S. distributor Focus Features is campaigning in the Supporting Actress category, while her co-star Eddie Redmayne was snubbed. Tom Hardy landed a nom for his dual role in UK hit “Legend.” While last year father and son Timothy and Rafe Spall earned nominations for Best Actor and Supporting Actor, respectively, this year both Brendan Gleeson and son Domnhall are competing for the Supporting Actor win.

The winners of the British Independent Film Awards will be announced on December 6.